New Business Development Representative – Automotive

SIS; Romulus (MI); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision

401(k) with company match

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

SIS in Romulus, MI is seeking a New Business Development Representative for automotive powertrain solutions. The role focuses on expanding the customer base, pursuing new programs, and converting opportunities into long-term business with Tier 1/2 OEMs.

Onsite position with travel up to 40% and collaboration across purchasing, engineering, and sales teams. The ideal candidate has 5–10+ years in automotive sales, strong powertrain knowledge, and proven deal-closure experience, with preference for

Qualifications

• 5–10+ years of automotive or industrial sales experience.
• Strong understanding of ICE powertrain systems (cylinders, liners, pistons, castings/forgings, brakes).
• Proven ability to close deals and drive year-over-year account growth.
• Experience with RFQ processes, quotations, sourcing activities and program awards.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Willingness to travel up to 40% domestically and internationally.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and grow relationships with assigned customers.
• Identify and pursue new customers, accounts, and business opportunities.
• Develop and execute new business and market entry strategies.
• Lead customer meetings, presentations, and negotiations.
• Build and manage a strong sales pipeline and activity reporting.
• Represent the company at customer visits, industry events, and trade shows.

Skills

Automotive sales

RFQ processes

Negotiation

Powertrain knowledge

Customer relationship

Job description

New Business Development Representative - Automotive ( Powertrain)

Romulus, MI 48174

Total position: 2

Relocation assistance: No

Visa sponsorship eligibility: No

Compensation: Top 10% of industry

Currently have 2 openings, including one backfill and one newly created position. These are new roles, as one of the individuals just left for another opportunity, and they anticipate additional sales hiring as the business expands.

The ideal candidate should have approximately 5-10 years of relevant automotive or industrial sales experience, Strong understanding of ICE powertrain systemswith a strong preference for candidates who have sold metal components such as castings, forgings, engine parts, pistons, liners, brakes, or similar products directly to OEMs. Need years of experience supporting global automotive OEMs through strategic sourcing, commercial negotiations, supplier relationship management,

Candidates should understand the RFQ process and be able to clearly explain how they personally secured new business and contributed to year-over-year account growth.

Target companies/backgrounds include organizations such as BorgWarner, Dana, Nemak, Cummins, MAHLE, Tenneco, GKN, KS/Rheinmetall, and similar automotive suppliers. Experience selling to Japanese OEMs would be a major plus, as they are looking to expand further into that market. Employment stability is also very important to the president, so we should avoid candidates with frequent short-term moves.

A few additional details:

Work environment: Fully onsite; this is not a remote position.

Travel: Listed at 40%, although actual travel is typically closer to 30% or less. Travel may be slightly heavier during the first year while building customer relationships.

Team structure: New Sales Director starting October 1, with approximately three salespeople on the team.

Territory: Accounts are assigned primarily by customer rather than geographic region.

Customers/contacts: Primarily purchasing, buyers, and engineering contacts at OEMs and automotive suppliers, along with customers in generator, marine, and military markets.

Interview process: One In-person interview with the company president, generally around one hour.

Key traits: Strong hunter mentality, energetic, persistent, dependable, and highly motivated to grow existing accounts and win new business.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance


• 401(k) with company match


• Short- and long-term disability insurance


• Life insurance


• Tuition reimbursement

About the job

Client is a Tier One and Tier Two automotive supplier specializing in ICE Powertrain solutions. We are seeking a motivated New Business Development Representative. This role involves maintaining select customer relationships while actively identifying and developing new customers and new accounts. Automotive industry experience is required.

Role overview You will manage a defined group of customer relationships while also pursuing new business opportunities with prospective customers. The focus is on expanding our customer base, identifying new programs, and converting opportunities into long-term business.

Key responsibilities

• Maintain and grow relationships with assigned customers


• Identify and pursue new customers, new accounts, and new business opportunities


• Develop and execute new business and market entry strategies


• Lead customer meetings, presentations, and negotiations


• Build and manage a strong sales pipeline and activity reporting


• Represent the company at customer visits, industry events, and trade shows


• Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure customer needs are met

What we're looking for

• Must have experience with the Tier 1/Tier 2 OEM automotive industry


• Strong understanding of ICE powertrain systems. i.e. (cylinder liners, piston rings, castings, forgings, braking components, and related powertrain products)


• Proven sales experience with the ability to demonstrate successful deal closures


• Demonstrated negotiation skills, including the ability to influence outcomes and reach mutually beneficial agreements


• Experience with RFQ processes, customer quotations, sourcing activities, and program awards


• Strong communication and relationship-building skills


• Self-motivated, organized, and comfortable working independently


• Ability to travel domestically and internationally (up to 40%)


• 5-10+ years' experience